Korean J Med Mycol.  2001 Mar;6(1):9-16.

Distribution of Fungus Spores in Indoor and Outdoor Air

• Kim KE

Abstract

The number of fungus spores in the air is greater compared to that of pollen and also is less influenced by season. Recently there is increasing interest in the role of fungus as an allergen and causative factor of sick building syndrome. There are several kinds of samplers for the collection of fungus spore in outdoor and/or indoor air such as Durham sampler, rotorod sampler, personal volumetric air sampler, seven-day recording volumetric spore trap, and portable air sampler for agar plates. Because personal volumetric air sampler is small, rechargeable and volumetric equipment, it is suitable for air sampling indoors. Portable air sampler for agar plates is useful for fungus culture from indoor and outdoor air. According to the results of our study on distribution of fungus spores in indoor and outdoor air by using personal volumetric air sampler, Cladosporium and Leptosphaeria were common spores in indoor and outdoor air. The number of spores in indoor air was closely correlated with that in outdoor air. Therefore it would be necessary to establish a standard method for collecting the fungus spores. We need to perform the nationwide study on distribution of fungus spores using this method, and to evaluate the allergenicity of fungus spores.

Keyword

Fungus spores; Sampler; Indoor air; Outdoor air; Personal volumetric air sampler

MeSH Terms

Agar
Cladosporium
Fungi*
Humans
Pollen
Seasons
Sick Building Syndrome
Spores*
Agar